Chapter 12: In the Gutter

Faint blue light radiated from the the boys' room, flickering across the hallway floor in waves. Powder's breath caught in her throat, excitement bubbling as her eyes light up with curiosity. Restraining her giddy energy, she quickly tiptoed to the door and slowly, quietly, tried to open it. Unfortunately for her, the light flickered one last time, leaving faint traces in her vision as it vanished, as if it were never there at all.

Powder frowned, disappointment etched into her curiosity, her eyes scanning the room, unwilling to give up. They settled on Orion as he lay on the ground, arms sprayed out as if in a deep slumber. Her gaze remained fixed on him, as if daring him to make a move, to provide some satisfying clue to her mysterious night experiences.

Disappointment washed over her again as she lingered, letting out a tiny sigh before retreating back to her room. As she climbed into bed, her thoughts raced. What was that lingering light, and why does it disappear when I approach? Is it... scared of me?

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Orion chuckled softly as he entered Emberflit Alley, twirling a full silver coin between his fingers, unconcerned by his surroundings. It was one of the few simple pleasures, watching the lights around him dance off the coin's surface, as if celebrating his small accomplishment.

Clutching it back into his palm, recollection of this morning left him feeling, to a small degree, appreciated. The gang's haul of three full silvers, and Vander's decision to give him one on account for helping free Claggor. Mylo, of course, had his usual quips and disagreements as the transaction unfolded, dragging it out a little, but that wasn't what stuck with him. It was the way the sisters stared, standing side-by-side, and with mixed expressions.

Vi he could somewhat understand. A stranger on his first day, yet he's received some acknowledgement from Vander, Orion bemused. Her crossed arms but conflicted gaze were almost expected. Powder, however, was throwing him off all morning. She just kept staring, Orion thought, wondering what kind of childish thoughts were going on behind those wide, unblinking eyes.

He was almost home. Emberflit was starting to become familiar- the occasional whistle of steam, toxic sludge on every surface, and a cold, green-tinged smog that hung in the air. 

Thud. Orion's vision went white as pain exploded across his skull. He stumbles forward, mad cackling piercing his ears. Before he could recover, a sharp yank on his hair from behind, wrenching his body backward, but allowing him to catch a glimpse of a distorted humanoid rat appearance.

THUMP! Another heavy blow struck his abdomen, driving the air from his body. Saliva spewed out as he collapsed to his knees, the rat-man releasing its grip.

His vision swam, the pain sharp and shock remaining, when a faint, chilling word came through the triumphant laughter, "Organs..."

Panic gripped him, as that one word sent alarm bells ringing throughout his soul. Adrenaline surged, shockwaves activating his nervous system. His heart pounded, demanding that he moved, forcing his blurred vision to sharpen slightly. Orion spotted one standing on the left and another looming in front.

Gritting his teeth, a momentary conflict racing through his head, "Fuck, I'm going to have to-"

For whatever reason, they didn't stop him. His hand shot to the gun inside his jacket. Time slowed, his head snapped up, locking eyes with an augmented human before him. A typical thug, with many scars and deformities, and whose eyes betrayed a single, damning realization.

They'd just fucked up.

Bang!

The rat-man froze, its stunned gaze following its companion's collapse into the alley wall, crumpling to the ground with a sickening thud. For a moment, there was silence- then rage. It lunged out, aiming to gouge out Orion's eyes. Small details came with heightened senses, its fingers were augmented into grey metallic claws.

Orion shifted his head sideways in the nick of time, but it still drew blood as it grazed his cheek. He caught the rat-man's arm before sending a wild punch to its face. Thick, green blood oozed from it's nose, but the wild bloodlust didn't falter. Such feral behavior and resilience unsettled Orion, giving the creature the opportune moment it needed.

White sparks danced in Orion's vision again, sharp pain emitting from his side as the claws tore open two-inch cuts. Gasping, Orion instinctively pressed a hand to the wound, creating more vulnerabilities.

The rat-man charged, slamming it's body into him, forehead straight into his chin.

Blood spewed from Orion's mouth, but he refused to fall as he grabbed at the rat-man's clothes, and threw him sideways with all the strength he could muster. Orion thought he was about to be on the receiving end again, but it never came.

It was sheer luck, or unluckiness, as gurgling sounds emitted upon impact. Still stumbling backward, it took a moment, between dizziness and intense pain, to refocus.

The wall was lined with pipes, and unfortunately for the rat-man, some were broken in places. A jagged pipe stuck out from it's neck, green blood oozing from the wound. Rage, confusion, desperation, all of these emotions could be seen as it gurgled and thrashed, unable to decide on whether to keep fighting or cling to life.

It was a horrible death to witness, and Orion could do nothing but watch.